Chapter 20 - AVA CONFRONTS DANIEL
I heard about the confrontation from the reunification therapist, then later from Ava.
She asked Daniel:
“Did Mom give me up?”
He answered:
“She stopped fighting for you.”
Ava said:
“That’s not yes.”
He became defensive.
“She disappeared for months.”
“Did she sign anything?”
“No.”
“Then why did you say she did?”
“I was trying to help you understand.”
That phrase again.
Help you understand.
Meaning:
Simplify reality until it supports me.
Ava asked:
“Did Kate hurt me?”
Daniel answered:
“You told me she did.”
“I said she grabbed my arm once.”
“You said you felt trapped.”
“I said I was mad.”
Daniel:
“You’re changing your story because Kate got to you.”
Ava stood.
“No.”
Then:
“I’m changing it because nobody is telling me what words mean anymore.”
Fifteen.
Not a philosopher.
Just exhausted.
She went to Elaine’s house that night under an agreed family safety plan.
May you like
Not because Daniel was violent.
Because she needed space.
